FREEDOM AT A COST: ONDO FARMERS RELEASED AFTER N5M RANSOM PAYMENT

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BY OWOLABI OLUWADARA

The seven agriculturists abducted from their agricultural land in Itaogbolu within the Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State on Saturday have regained their liberty.

The individuals were engaged in farming activities when assailants initiated an assault and forcibly took them.

A kin of one of the captives, who requested to remain unidentified, informed the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday that the seven agricultural workers were liberated on Wednesday evening after enduring five days of detention.

I am pleased to inform you that the abductors liberated all seven farmers on Wednesday evening. They have returned to their families.

I would like to convey that when the abductors demanded a ransom, which was initially set at N100 million before being reduced to N20 million, we were only able to gather N5 million.

They were released in Ikere-Ekiti, Ekiti, on Wednesday evening after accepting the N5 million and food supplies.

The victims are currently receiving medical attention in the hospital,” he stated.

Attempts by NAN to reach the state Commander of the Amotekun Corps, Mr. Adetunji Adeleye, were unsuccessful, as calls to his mobile phone went unanswered.

When reached, the Police Public Relations Officer for the state, DSP Olushola Ayanlade, simply remarked, “I am not aware of their release. ” (NAN)